He's so tough because his fastball might be his third-best pitch. |
I feel confident now that I can catch at the big league level. I know everyone's always said, 'His bat's ready, but where is he going to play?' But I think I can catch. Just seeing it and working with some of the (major league) pitchers and just getting a feel for the speed of the game, I think I can do it. |
I feel like an infielder now. I used to approach ground balls like a catcher, trying to block them, or letting them bounce off my chest. Now I'm using my feet, and moving around like an infielder. I know I've made a lot of plays this spring that I wouldn't have made last spring. |
I just want to show them that if something happens in April, I?m a guy they can call upon. I want to show them I have a good work ethic and I can handle the position. |
I was here last year, and I saw it then. It's a lot of young prospects, and we're so accessible. If you collect autographs, it's the best scenario because there are no crowds and it's quiet. |
If someone says something, you know who said it. |
It's about finding a spot where I can contribute. I just have to go out and play, because I feel comfortable [at first]. |
My goal is to be an everyday player at the major league level. As much as I like catching, that was not going to happen as a catcher. So I'm all in favor of the switch. |
That's real unusual, but I thought Ted had real good stuff and just kind of lost it for a while. Sometimes that can happen. In a close ballgame like that, we were fortunate to get that off him. |
The great thing about being in the major league camp is that you get to face more major league pitchers, which helps you learn how they go about trying to get outs. I also like being here because it gives me a chance to see how the veterans get ready for the season. It's not about being ready to play on March 15, it's about getting yourself ready for opening day. |
You know. If a guy has a page of 12 cards, you know [he's selling them]. A lot of guys, you get to know them. They like to trade with their buddies on the East Coast. A lot of guys just like to trade them, and it's their hobby. I've always tried to sign. You just respect the guys. If that's what they enjoy -- even if they're going to sell them -- it's something they enjoy and they're going to make the trip to the ballpark to do it, you've got to sign. |